I Can’t Hate You

 

I have no enemies! Others may consider me an enemy, but it’s not reciprocal. I don’t care what anyone has done, said, or thought about me. If they’ve taken advantage, slandered, slurred, or cursed me, I don’t hold it against them. Instead, I love them! And there’s nothing they can do about it.

I don’t deserve a pat on the back for loving those who would do me harm. My human tendency might be to retaliate, to hate those who hate me. But I can’t. I have no choice but to love people even when they seem unlovable.

The apostle Paul wrote, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6-8).

Practically speaking, if God can forgive the messes I’ve made in my life, what right have I to hate others for their messes?

When I hear of somebody not talking to somebody else because that person did this or that bad thing, I wonder if they realize how much the Creator loves them even when they do the same. I’ve concluded that people who don’t feel God’s forgiveness may lack forgiving hearts. That’s a real shame!

Personally, I’ll accept all the forgiveness God offers me. And in return, I’ll give that forgiveness to others, no matter what they’ve done. Then, if they’ll listen, I’ll tell them about the Great Redeemer and His forgiveness.

I sleep better at night that way.